Carrying systems on a budget

The level six kayak paper here at CPIT has as part of its practical intensive papers, an introduction or for some of us, induction into what it is to kayak on the West Coast of the South Island. For some of us, words that come to mind when thinking about West Coast rivers are steep, tight, and technical (and whatever connotations these words conjure up when used in this context). However, other words that aren't common when boating in other areas of the country, such as walk ins, and issues, come in to their own in this region. Most rivers in the area are only accessible by foot or helicopter and as the title of this post suggests, money is of the essence so for the most part, walking in to a river with your boat on your back, is the way forward.

The level six paper involves one of these walk ins and as is commonly the case, it is a first time event for most of the class. Apart from the hard man of our class we all tried to use some sort of carrying system with varying results. (see above where butters finds out that some times when you've fallen, you can't get up) This post will share a tried and true method, along with some advice for virgin walk in boaters.

The first point i want to put forward is, walk ins are something to be treasured. With the right system, there is no reason why a walk in needs to be much harder than your average tramp, yet you get to paddle out at the end of the day, on what would have been your pack.

The advantage of cost effective carrying systems is that obviously less is more. Just as the environmental care code says, take only photos and leave only footprints. The same goes with kayaking and obviously the less you take in, the less you have to paddle out with. For this reason, with the systems shown here, we have tried to use what we would already be taking on the river. Slings, prussics, and carabiners will provide the backbone of the system, add to this your everyday foam noodle, and you've got that extra bit of comfort that can make the difference between an enjoyable adventure and a harrowing trudge.

The example on the left is one of the easiest and cheapest designs that we've inherited and adapted to achieve a hassle free walk in. With a short length of foam for your neck threaded on the sling, each end of the sling goes around a side seat pillar, then gets tied off on the sling on either side of the neck foam. From here the two shoulder strap noodles are threaded on to each end of the sling, and the sling ends are tied off together. This then gets attached by carabiner to the grab loop at the bottom of the boat (extra length can be achieved with prussic). The green sling on the ground is used to take some weight off the shoulders by clipping into the carriers B A's shoulder straps.

This system will work for most boats although Jefe's, Nomad's and other boats have broaching pins behind the cockpit which can make it easier, and even give you a point to run a waist strap from, if that's how you roll. Other boats (Riot Magnums) don't have adequate seat pillars so other methods will need to be used.

There are harness systems on the market that are comfortable, light and effective (Hydraulics), but why not use what you are going to have to take anyway? Noodles act as good water displacement in your boat, and weigh nothing. Alternatively, if you've got an old bag lying around it is easy enough to cut off the excess material and fashion a mint harness. Reduce and reuse! Seatbelts are also fantastic to make a permanent harness out of which can include waist straps (see Jared cause his system's mint). The Super Shed as always is generally able to provide second hand stuff.

When it comes down to it if you don't want to spend lots of time and energy catching up to your tutors on that first walk in, get a boat and rig up your harness at home. Go for a walk around the block to test it out, you won't be the first to get funny looks from townies.

Ngaruroro River at Kuripapango (oxbo)

This section of the river was my proving ground. This river is an awesome grade two stretch of buffers, play holes and at the right flow, waves. This is a great stretch of river in the Hawkes Bay that you can learn and improve your boating on. Plenty of space for nice eddy turns and just a great river to have a mission down. The river can be paddled any where from as little as 900mm the online gauge can be found at http://www.hbrc.govt.nz/Water/RiverLevels/. The paddle is a great 1-2 hour paddle depending on the speed of your team...enjoy

The get in is along the Gentle Anny road in a camping/pull over area on you right hand side.
The get out is located further along the road, about 6 km. once you go over the bridge there is a rest area on your right just before a sharp left hand bend, that's the spot. A good indicator for the get out is the bridge, if you go past it you have gone to far.

Otaki River (Lower gorge)

This is a class II run that provides plenty of excitement for begginners. This is the run i learnt to kayak on providing excellent eddys, wave trains, and the odd bluff to watch out for. In low flows it can become a bit scratchy (below 20 cumecs) but otherwise it's all go!
Flows are available throgh www.rivers.org.nz or available in the Dominion Post each morning.

The run takes any where between 3-4hours but can be broken in half (there is a 4WD track that leads down to the river just after a reletivly long flat open stretch of road). This track is pivate and steep so it is preferred if cars are left at top. It pays to not leave valuables visible in the car.

Put in: Go right up Otaki Gorge rd past the one lane bridge to your left all the way up to the Picnic area by DoC ranger house up (only real turn off on left handside of rd once your in the gorge past the bridge) . If you reach the camping area at the rd end you have gone too far.

Pays to scout first rapid as it is very tight and tecnicle.

Take out: As you drive into the gorge you can park the car just by the bridge mentioned (you don't go over it but you still can't miss it) and there is a walking track in this area that comes up from the river.

Tongariro River (Access 10)

If your in or passing through te central north island, the Tongariro is a great river for paddlers getting into the grate lll-lll+ rivers, its a technical river and has a good constant flow of atleast 16 cumecs and gauge. (Flow phone call (07) 386 8113)The Tongaririo is a good hours drive from Taupo. There are about 75 Rapids on the river and its an awesome rapid filled run with a good steady gradient. A must paddle.

Chee running One of the 75 rapids.

The river is great to paddle at the general flow of 16 cumecs as as the flow gets higher waves, bigger holes and rapids become bigger along with the volume.

Its about a 2-3 hour paddle and take some warm gear because by the end of the run your hands will be cold. This river is cold year round.

This river is suceptable to change so don't expect it to be the same every time you do it.

The get out is off State highway 1. look for the white Poutu Stream Bridge just after the bridge on the left is a pull over, follow the gravel road till you get to e turning bay... thats the spot.

At the get in.

The get in is on the left hand side of the road, the street is down to Rangipo Power Station, the street is half way up a passing lane heading out of Turangi... ya cant miss it. Follow down to the power station, drive across the power station and the car park is your get in.

Waiau River

The Waiau is a great class II run and is a good river for beginner to intermediate paddlers and for teaching with lots of big eddys and a couple of exciting rapids like sharks tooth. This is another Canterbury river that is not far from chch and is another option for those Class II paddlers who want to test their skills on another river other than the Huranui. There are also a couple of sections on the Waiau, one is from Ferry bridge to irrigation intake which is the more popular and the other is above this just further up the highway towards springs junction.

Rangitata River (Gorge)

The Rangitata Gorge is one of those rivers that has a presence of Bigger water and bigger stories that is offered to the Canterbury paddlers.

The Rangitata River is A great testing ground for the paddlers that would like to step it up to bigger water. The River starts of with a warm up section where eddy turns can be practices, after this section it leads into the gorge where the river tightens up and you can see the full extent of the rivers flow. The two main rapids to watch out for are the Roosters Tail which leads into the Pigs Troff ( Nasty hole) and the Pinch. these are the two more technical rapids on the river and i would advise scouting. The river is an awesome run filled with full volume rapids and big waves and buffers.

The run calls for a good team and warm gear as it fills with snow melt, the river is great to paddle anywhere from 35 cumecs, its a great grade lV - lV+ (Flow Dependant) run that can take anywhere from 1-3 hours depending on how much time you spend practicing you moves on the play whole that is available at about 40 cumecs.

The river is commercially rafted and the raft base is located by the get out, the get out is located before the dam intake, get out on river right where there is an exit ramp.
The get in is located further up the tarmac road before the turn off for the get out. follow this gravel road for a while then there will be a farm gate on your right, take this turn and there the river will be after about 200 metres.

Great run for some bigger water in the Canterbury region.

Ashley River (Gorge)

The Ashley Gorge is a run that Canterbury every body waits for in winter, when the rain from a Southerly front provides enough flow its just a short hour drive from Christchurch. The Ashley Gorge is a Great stepping stone from the Hurunui as it is a great class lll - lll+ river depending on flows. The Ashley Gorge section is a technical river with a awesome number of rapids, the river starts of with a great section to practice your eddy turns and warm up on, then it turns into a great stretch of rapids. The River is a very cold paddle so it is important to have good warm paddling gear and a well prepared team. The Gorge is a committing run in the sense that if you choose to walk out it would be along way.
The Ashley has great rapids, one including the Ashley drop, a great place to stop and practice your boofing and technical skills.

Jamie practicing his boof.

The get in for the Ashley is Located down a side road on the way to the Ashley Gorge Motor Camp called Lees Vally, follow this winding gravel road to you reach a bridge and a stop over area, here you will find the get in point.
The get out is located at the Ashley Motor Camp reserve, there are toilets and Facilities available.

Don't let the cold water and location scare you off, its an awesome river with a great intro to technical water. The Ashley can be paddled at flows anywhere from 10 cumecs.

Hurunui River

The Hurunui has been a popular stomping ground for poly tech students for ages as it is only a two hour drive from Christchurch. There are three sections on the Hurunui which are 'Fish Farm', 'Jollybrook', and 'Maori Gully'.

Fish Farm is a great class II - III gorge and is definitly worth having a look at. This is the section directly above Jollybrook. The gorge is quite short and fun with grade I - II paddle down to Jollybrook.

Jollybrook is an old slalom site, the remains only stand as a few poles just up river from the swing bridge. That would be a good project to restore the wires as a local place to train.

At the put in there is a great spot for warming up with a few eddy turns and practice rolls before heading down stream, it is also the site of the polytech famous Chapman Challenge.

Jollybrook is a great beginner class II trip up to around 60-70 cumecs where it becomes a bit faster and a bit pushier. There is also a road that runs almost the length of the run on river right.

The take out at the top of Maori gully is hard to miss as it is where the road comes right next to the river and there is a road bridge clearly visible from the river.

Maori Gully (Simons hole bottom)

If you are feeling up to it and it is within scope then Maori Gully is a great way to finish off the day. Class III with a variety, there are some long rapids, there are some cool drops, and if you catch the flow right there are some sweet wee play features.
Same as with Jollybrook as the flow comes up, the river becomes a lot faster so make sure you are with a team who is confident and who can look after each other as swims get a lot harder to deal with. There have been some horror stories, especially in winter when it's not uncommon to find ice on the banks.

Maori Gully